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 April 8 and 10, the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively passed a law that prohibits the import of what aid organizations have long called “conflict” or “blood” diamonds. The Clean Diamonds Trade Act culminates a three-year effort by the Campaign to Eliminate Conflict Diamonds, comprised of some 150 human rights, humanitarian and faith-based organizations in partnership with a bi-partisan alliance of Members of Congress.
These gems are mined illegally in Africa and smuggled abroad, where they are sold, often in legitimate diamond retail outlets. Sales of conflict diamonds pay for weapons and other supplies for rebel groups in African countries like Angola, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Published reports also indicate that illegal diamond sales may help fund the activities of terrorist groups like al Qaeda. In order to maintain their control, warlords running these illicit mining operations often terrorize, mutilate and kill local civilians, even hacking off the limbs of children and infants.
“We and our partners have been pushing for this law for three years now,” said World Vision President Rich Stearns. “This is a memorable day, not just for Washington, but especially for the Africans who have been suffering at the hands of diamond warlords for years.”
The legislation will require that all diamonds sold in the United States bear certification that they were mined and processed through legitimate channels. April 28-30, countries participating in a global effort – called the Kimberly Process – to prevent the sale of conflict diamonds will meet in Johannesburg, South Africa.
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